Approximately a month ago, All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook suffered (yet another) knee injury that promises to keep him out of playing shape for a handful of months, consequently making him miss the All-Star game, and more importantly, forcing the Oklahoma City Thunder to learn to win without him, again.
With one of their two main weapons out, it looked like Oklahoma were set to face a huge challenge as they were competing against San Antonio and Portland for the top spot in the NBA’s Western Conference. And yet, they currently lead the conference, with a 5-game win streak, including prime-time wins against Houston, Golden State, and more importantly the Spurs and the Blazers.
The reason for that maintained high quality has a name: Kevin Durant. His game averages are staggering: 31 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists. Having recently increased his career high to 54 points, KD has never been on such good form. Of course, along with that, murmurs of MVP are being heard. Whilst the Heat are struggling and Lebron is (pathetically) envying Durant’s freedom to shoot, Durant is carrying the Thunder to the second best record in the NBA.
Though Durant shoots a lot, he also scores a lot. Having attempted 850 field goals this year, he still shoots over 50 %. Only a fool could criticize his total control over OKC’s play. As long as he is that efficient, no one has the right to say he shoots too much. Without his scoring prowess, the Thunder would not be where they are right now; Without Westbrook, KD is the only player who scored above 15 points a game, and though Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson both average around 14 points, they lack the relentless consistency that allows a team to be top of the Western Conference.
What is mind-blowing is that Durant averages just under 20 shots a game, yet still fits in over 5 assists. Compared to his MVP rival, Lebron, he scores 5 points more, 1 more rebound and only 1.4 less assists. Though he shoots a lower FG%, his 3pt FG% (41.3%) is higher than the reigning MVP’s (37.2%).
If things stay like this, in my opinion, KD is the incontestable NBA MVP; Incredible and efficient scoring, great rebounding and sound distributing place him higher than Lebron. Also, let’s not forget what the second letter in MVP stands for- Durant is the most valuable player for his team. Even without Westbrook, he is carrying Oklahoma to a stellar record. Without taking anything away from Lebron, it is essential to state that he plays alongside two other all-stars, and though he still has mind-blowing stats, this year Durant is outclassing him.
Things still have time to change. After all, we are only just past the halfway point of the regular season, and nothing guarantees that KD will keep up this incredible form. In addition to this, the evil burden of injuries still hangs in the air, waiting to bite the unlucky players. Kevin Durant is my mid-season MVP, but let’s not speak too soon. Meanwhile, Durant will try to continue carrying his side without Westbrook, while he patiently waits for the gruesome twosome to be re-united on NBA courts.
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